WHAT HELPED ME!
Hints & Tips For A Better OOKP Journey
Hints & Tips For A Better OOKP Journey
We're sure you're aware, every OOKP journey is unique, but there's many tried-and-tested tips and tricks other members have found helpful along the way, which they're willing to share when asked. This page is a collection of practical advice, emotional support ideas, and everyday strategies that have made life a little easier for people before, during, and after their OOKP experience.
These are real suggestions from real members — based on lived experience, shared challenges, and the small wins that help build confidence. Peer-based insight like this can make a big difference in coping with emotional, practical, and lifestyle adjustments; and if you need a specific tip to solve your problem, simply contact us and we'll be only too happy to share our solutions.
Talking with people who truly get the ups and downs of changes to their sight, both before and after surgery, can be incredibly reassuring and empowering. Whether through our support services or other peer groups, shared experiences help reduce isolation and build confidence. If you need a solution, take a look at this page, see if the answer exists on our FAQ page, or simply contact us with your question.
Vision changes and health challenges can bring a wide range of emotions — fear, uncertainty, sadness, frustration, or hope — and all of these are normal. Taking time for self-care, acknowledging your feelings, and talking to someone supportive can help you navigate the emotional side of the journey; and who better to provide the support, than our members..
PRACTICAL TIPS MEMBERS FOUND USEFUL!
Set small, easily achieveable daily routines to create structure
Never see unaccomplished goals as failure, simply breat the goal into smaller tasks, rinse and repeat.
Reward yourself with a small token gift for achieving tasks and large rewards after achieving a goal. It gives motivation.
Take breaks when emotions feel overwhelming
Assess why you were overwhelmed (a task was too complicated or your health was not appropriate) then adjust your conduct to eliminate these feelings in the future.
Practice simple deep-breathing or mindfulness exercises
If you're struggling, ask for help, Remember, we don't need to re-invent the wheel, just learn how to use it better.
Keeping track of appointments, medications, drops, and follow-up care helps reduce stress and gives you a sense of control over your health. Some members use:
A physical planner or notebook
A large-text calendar or digital reminder app
Checklists for appointments and eye drop schedules
These tools help make a sometimes complex care journey feel more manageable. Take a look at our "TUTORIAL VIDEOS" for help with finding and using such tools.
Technology can be a powerful ally, for helping you achiev tasks, often providing increased confidence, as you realise, you no longer need to rely so much on others.: Some exqample are:
Screen readers, text-to-speech software, and smart phone magnifiers
Voice-activated assistants and reminders
High-contrast labelling around the home
verbal note taking apps
AI assistants, for example, Gemini for Google.
Even small changes like adjusting lighting or using tactile markers for buttons, switches and keyboard keys can boost independence and confidence. Again, our tutorial video section of this website will give ideas and solutions.
Keeping in touch with friends, family, and support groups helps your emotional wellbeing and keeps you feeling part of life outside your medical journey. A phone call, online meetup, or chat with a support buddy can brighten your day and remind you you’re not alone. It can also provide the solution you've been searching for.
Every step forward — like learning a new daily routine, making it through a check-up, or adapting a task in a new way — is worth acknowledging. Progress is personal and cumulative, and recognizing and rewarding small achievements builds confidence and resilience.
Here's a small selection of some practical ideas members have told us helped them on their journeys. Find more in our FAQ section, or contact us and we'll help you find a solution:
✔ Establishing a daily ritual for eye care and drops
✔ Wearing sunglasses & hats outdoors to enhance comfort & reduce glare
✔ Using audiobooks/podcasts to engage the mind & develop knowledge
✔ Arranging a recovery corner at home with everything you need close at hand
✔ Asking others to assist with tasks like preparing meals during recovery.
✔ Using liquid level indicators to help when making hot drinks
✔ Using "Loc-dots" to easily find keys on a computer keyboard.
These sort of practical habits help people feel more in control, comfortable, and connected.
Not every tip works for every person — and don't worry, that’s OK. We encourage you to ask questions like:
❓ What might help my recovery or daily life?
❓ Are there tools others use that I haven’t thought of?
❓ How do people manage eye drop schedules more easily?
❓ What helped members feel emotionally supported during hard days?
You can ask these — and any other questions — via our contact services:
📧 Email: ourookpservice@gmail.com
Subject Line: What Helped
We’ll make sure your question gets to the right place and one of our peer supporters or members replies with helpful insight. As we say, your questions help others to better manage their OOKP journey, so never be affraid to ask us.
Pick one or two suggestions that resonate with you
Try them gradually — there’s no rush
Ask for support if something feels hard
Share what you’ve tried back with the community so others can benefit
Remember, this isn’t a race, or about obtaining perfection — it’s about finding what works for you, then adopting it into your life, so tasks are completed, without you becoming overwhelmed.
This page, along with much of the information contained throughout this website, is a peer-led collection of practical and emotional tips, drawn from shared experience and supportive resources. It’s not medical advice, and you should always follow the recommendations of your clinical team regarding your surgery and care.
Peer support is about sharing what helped us — and empowering others to find what works best for them.
Every question you ask and every tip you share helps make our community stronger.
💙 Thank you for being part of this journey — and for helping others find their way too.